What are the best skincare products for cancer patients? Chemotherapy, radiation, and other cancer treatments take a huge toll on the body. They make your nauseous. They make you feel tired all the time. They even make you lose your hair.
Your skin isn’t left unscathed, either. Cancer treatment dries out skin worse than the Sahara, leaving it more prone to irritations, infections, and rashes. All things that make patients uncomfortable and very self-conscious. Enter Lindi Skin, a skincare line created to solve this problem. Does it work?
About Lindi Skin
Lindy Snider didn’t realise the impact cancer treatment had on your skin until her friends got sick. She took note of their struggle to find skincare products to suit the needs of their now very sensitive skin. You see, at the time, skincare lines for cancer patients didn’t exist. So Lindy decided to create her own, Lindi Skin.
She formulated her products with the help of dermatologists, oncologists, nurses, patients and skincare formulators to ensure they are as gentle, soothing, and effective as possible, so patients can look their best even at this difficult time. A worthy endeavour no doubt, but are Lindi products really so special? Should cancer patients invest in them? Let’s investigate:
Lindi Face Wash ($24.50)
When you’re undergoing cancer treatment, your skin gets very dry. So dry, that most cleansers out there leave your skin tighter than a tennis racket and drier than the Sahara. The usual surfactants – the cleansing agents that remove dirt and grime – are not too harsh for you. That’s where Lindi Face Wash comes to the rescue. It uses some of the gentlest surfactants out there (PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate and coconut derived Coco Glucoside, if you’re curious) to cleanse your skin. They’re so gentle, you usually find them in shampoos for babies.
The catch? The gentlest a face wash is, the less grime it removes. Translation: this is good to wash your face, but not to remove your makeup. But my real problem with this cleanser (and most of Lindi products, for that matter) is the inclusion of lavender oil: it’s famous for causing irritations and allergies in sensitive skin. In a rinse off products, it’s unlikely to cause problems, but if it doesn’t agree with your skin, now you know why.
Active Ingredients: PEG-12 Dimethicone Sulfosuccinate and Coco Glucoside
Benefits: Very gentle, removes grime well.
Cons: Struggles with makeup.
Skin type: Dry skin.
Fragrance-free: Technically yes. But it contains a drop of lavender oil that makes it smell good – and could potentially irritate sensitive skin.
Related: How To Choose The Best Cleanser For Your Skin Type
Want to know what ingredients you really need to avoid in your skincare products? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Skincare Ingredients To Avoid” cheatsheet:
Lindi Citrus Face Serum ($44.00)
You’ve guessed it, this is the Vitamin C serum. But 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, the pure form of Vitamin C commonly used to fight free radicals and boost collagen, is too harsh for the delicate skin of cancer patients. That’s why Lindi Citrus Face Serum opted for a small concentration of Ascorbyl Palmitate, a derivative that does the same thing but on a smaller scale so that it doesn’t irritate skin. To supercharge it, Lindi also added plenty of antioxidants, like green tea and retinyl palmitate (a gentler form of retinol).
The moisturising base is made up of natural oils and ceramides that strengthen the skin’s protective barrier and protect skin against environmental aggressors (like harsh weather and germs) that may irritate it further. I could do without the scent, but hey, I guess you can’t have everything.
Active Ingredients: Ascorbyl Palmitate and antioxidants.
Benefits: Moisturising, it helps prevent wrinkles.
Cons: Not the most powerful antioxidant serum (that’s because the actives are gentle enough for very sensitive skin). Contains fragrance.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: No.
Related: Vitamin C Derivatives: Which One Is Best For You?
Lindi Face Moisturizer ($42.00)
Lindi Face Moisturizer uses a mixture of natural oils (like avocado) and butters (like shea) to create a barrier on the skin. This barrier has two purposes. One: it keeps moisture in, so dry skin stays hydrated and softer for longer. Two: it keeps germs and irritants out, so they won’t bother your delicate skin. Like this weren’t enough, the moisturiser also has its fair share of antioxidants to prevent premature aging. Again, I wish Lindi had skipped the fragrance. Oh well, if it doesn’t bother you, it’s still a good option to consider.
Active Ingredients: Shea butter and avocado oil.
Benefits: Very moisturising, it strengthens your skin’s protective barrier.
Cons: Contains fragrance.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: No.
Related: Is Fragrance In Skincare As Bad As Paula Begoun Says?
Lindi Lavender Face Serum ($44.50)
If your skin is feeling sore, tight, or just over it, this serum is basically comfort in a bottle. It’s designed to calm everything down (like, actually calm it down) not just slap some moisture on and hope for the best. The formula is loaded with soothing plant extracts (think chamomile, aloe, purslane, turmeric, green tea) and barrier-loving ingredients like ceramides and avocado oil. There’s also a bunch of antioxidants in here doing behind-the-scenes repair work while the lavender scent helps you breathe a little deeper and chill.
Texture-wise, it’s silky but lightweight-kind of like a dry oil meets serum hybrid. It glides on, doesn’t sting, and gives that immediate “ahhh” feeling when your skin’s acting up. Especially good if you’ve been overdoing it with actives, or if your face just feels hot and annoyed for no reason. Not flashy, not trendy. Just incredibly gentle and genuinely comforting.
Active Ingredients: Avocado oil and antioxidants.
Benefits: Very moisturising, it also has soothing and antioxidant properties.
Cons: Contains scented extracts that may irritate sensitive skin.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: No.
Lindi Soothing Balm ($33.00)
This stuff is like a rescue cream for skin that’s really going through it. We’re talking red, raw, flaky, “don’t even look at me” kind of skin. Whether it’s from chemo, radiation, over-exfoliating, or just straight-up irritation, this balm is built to bring the calm. It’s thick and balmy (obviously), but not greasy. It melts into the skin with a silky finish, thanks to dimethicone and olive-derived squalane.
Shea butter and avocado oil give it that rich, nourishing feel, while ingredients like astaxanthin (a crazy-powerful antioxidant) and vitamin E work behind the scenes to help repair and protect. But what really makes it different? It feels instantly soothing. No stinging. No drama. Just that satisfying “oh thank god” moment when your skin finally stops screaming. Perfect for dry patches, post-shaving irritation, or anytime your face (or elbows, or hands) need a little extra TLC.
Active Ingredients: Astaxanthin and squalene.
Benefits: Moisturising and soothing.
Cons: Wish it had a higher concentration of natural ingredients and fewer silicones (but hey, it works).
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Lindi Eye Hydrator ($33.00)
This is the kind of eye cream you reach for when your under-eyes feel like they’ve had enough. Too much screen time? Not enough sleep? Allergies kicking off again? This stuff just cools everything down. It’s got cucumber, chamomile, and eyebright to help with puffiness, plus some fancy peptides and antioxidants doing the behind-the-scenes work. But honestly? What you’ll notice right away is how soothing it feels. No sting, no strong scent, no weird tightness. Just soft, hydrated skin that feels way less cranky. It sinks in fast, doesn’t mess with your concealer, and makes you look a little more awake-even if you’re running on three hours of sleep and coffee fumes. Not a magic wand, but definitely a keeper if your eyes are tired and over it.
FYI, you don’t need a separate eye cream. If your face moisturiser is gentle enough, you can use them as eye cream too. If you want a separate eye cream, go ahead. Just know you don’t need to.
Active Ingredients: Astaxanthin Extract and Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C),
Benefits: Helps prevent wrinkles.
Cons: Doesn’t do anything that a facial moisturiser doesn’t.
Skin type: Dry and sensitive skin.
Fragrance-free: Yes.
Availability
All the products are available at Lindiskin.com
Is Lindi Skin Cruelty-Free?
Yes, Lindi Skin is cruelty-free and does not test on animals. The brand also states that its products are vegan, meaning they contain no animal-derived ingredients, making it a good option for those looking for ethical, animal-friendly skincare.
What Are The Pros Of Lindi Skin?
- Incredibly gentle: This is skincare made for people going through chemo and radiation, so if your skin is sensitive, reactive, or just hates everything, you’re in safe hands here.
- Actually soothing: Not just “hydrating” or “lightweight,” but genuinely calming when your skin feels raw, tight, or uncomfortable.
- No irritating nonsense: No harsh actives that could set your skin off.
- Great for recovery mode: Whether you overdid it with retinol, got a sunburn, or your barrier’s just wrecked, this stuff is like skincare rehab.
What Are The Cons Of Lindi Skin?
- Not for active results: If you’re chasing glow, brightening, or wrinkle-smoothing magic, this line isn’t about that. It’s more “support your skin” than “transform it.”
- Silicone-heavy textures: A lot of the products have that silky, slip-y feel-which some people love, but others might not.
- Fragrance alert (sometimes): Some products are fragrance-free, while others still contain fragrance (or fragranced extracts) that may still irritate skin.
- Packaging’s pretty basic: Doesn’t look fancy on your shelf, but honestly, function over aesthetics here.
The Bottom Line
Lindi Skin products are well-formulated and gentle enough for cancer patients and anyone who has very sensitive skin. I just wish they didn’t have fragrance.
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
